One Man's thoughts, rants, and mumblings on family, life, and baseball.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Tek Money?

Tek Money is usally a phrase used to describe Jason Varitek as coming up clutch in a key situation. Need the right pitch called at the right time? See Tek. Need a key hit to drive home that tying run? See Tek. Need to smack around a diva superstar who dates East German strippers and forgets where he is? See Tek.

In this case, it refers to the fact Jorge Posada, age 36, got a 4 year, $52.4 million dollar deal from the Yankees this offseason. While he had a great offensive year last season, that contract is really more of a "thank you" for what he's done over the years, rather than believing he'll be having that type of season 4 years from now.

While I don't think the Red Sox will, nor SHOULD, make Tek, who is also 36, that type of offer, I'm really hoping they step up and reward him for being the best catcher in baseball the past several years.He's not the best hitter, best fielder, or best guy when it comes to throwing guys out at second.

24 comments:

Man. This is a tough one though. i mean...do they invest in all that money when he may not be able to last that long?? i mean I thought the deal they made with him back for the 05 season was really good. I'm on the fence here. as much as I know that C is for much more...I need to think this one over. Id really like to see this season before we just say give em the world.

First, I am incredibly amused that I used the exact same photo of Tek on my blog before coming over here & seeing it on yours. Great minds!

Second, even if The Cap'n falls into the role of backup catcher for the end of a 3 or 4 year deal, I think what he brings to the table -- namely, those binders full of notes & the mentoring he can provide to whomever has to fill the unbeliveably large cleat prints he will leave behind -- still make a good-sized payout worth while. A catcher like Tek is one in a million. And as the market shows right now: it's not like there are comparable free agents out there to choose from.

I like Cash as a back up to Dougie though, because Wake feels comfortable pitching to him. According to some articles I was reading yesterday, Wake would really like to go for 200 career wins and also tie with the record for Red Sox wins, and he thinks it will take him another 3 or 4 years, if he can make it that long.

He says he doesn't think he has the durability he had when he was 28 & could start, throw from the pen & then start again. But he was talking to whichever one of teh Niekro brothers is still alive, and he thinks he should be able to pitch for another few years. Niekro told Wake he is in way better form than he ever was at Wake's age. That makes me happy.

If you log in & then on the first page there is a link for "members" (kind of up near the top), you can see everyone who is in the league. You are in. I saw you listed. There aren't any team rosters yet though because the draft hasn't run yet. JMP is listed right below you, I believe. Don't worry about having questions. You can always ask me. I won't even give you bad answers. Scout's honor. Last year, I led the league for the first 2/3 of the season. Then Youk slumped, Matsuzaka tanked, and I suffered a rash of injuries. =/